Rugby is one of the most entertaining and demanding sports in the world, combining brute strength, speed, strategy and teamwork. Over the years, it has produced some of the greatest athletes in history, and in 2024, the men’s rugby scene is more competitive than ever.
In order to appreciate these athletes, we’ve brought you another incredible piece of content with the 20 best rugby athletes in the world today for you to get to know! In this article, you’ll learn more about their life stories, titles won, curiosities and much more.
So check out the 20 best rugby players in the world today! These players not only dominate the pitch, but also inspire millions of fans around the world.
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The 20 best rugby players in the world today: complete list
- Antoine Dupont (France)
- Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
- Maro Itoje (England)
- Siya Kolisi (South Africa)
- Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
- Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
- Michael Hooper (Australia)
- Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
- Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
- Samu Kerevi (Australia)
- Romain Ntamack (France)
- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
- Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
- Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
- Pieter-Steph Du Toit (South Africa)
- Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
- Finn Russell (Scotland)
- Damian McKenzie (New Zealand)
- Owen Farrell (England)
- Handré Pollard (South Africa)
The 20 best rugby players in the world today: find out more about them
1. Antoine Dupont (France)
- Titles and records: Champion of the 2022 Six Nations Tournament, voted World Rugby’s best player in 2021.
- Teams: Stade Toulousain, French national team.
- History and trivia: Dupont is known as one of the best scrum-halves in recent rugby history. With an incomparable vision of the game and a unique ability to lead his team, he was a key player in France’s victory in the Six Nations Tournament.
2. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
- Titles and Records: Two-time Rugby World Cup winner (2015, 2019), two-time World Rugby player of the year.
- Teams: Blues, New Zealand national team (All Blacks).
- History and Trivia: Beauden Barrett is widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby players of his generation. Known for his speed and ball skills, he is an integral part of the All Blacks’ continued success.
3. Maro Itoje (England)
- Titles and Records: Six Nations champion, Rugby World Cup 2019 finalist.
- Teams: Saracens, England national team.
- History and Trivia: Itoje is one of the most dominant players in the second-row positions, combining game intelligence with physical strength. He is also a social activist, being an important voice on issues of equality and social justice.
4. Siya Kolisi (South Africa)
- Titles and Records: Winning captain of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, first black captain of the Springboks.
- Teams: Sharks, South African national team.
- History and Trivia: Kolisi is a symbol of overcoming and leadership. Growing up in challenging circumstances in South Africa, he has become a figure of global inspiration, not only for his performance on the pitch, but also for his philanthropic work.
5. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
- Titles and Records: Rugby World Cup 2019 winner, European Champions Cup winner.
- Teams: Toulon, South African national team.
- History and Trivia: Despite his relatively short stature for a rugby player, Kolbe is a constant threat with his speed and agility. He stood out at the 2019 World Cup, scoring decisive tries for South Africa.
6. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
- Titles and Records: Rugby World Cup 2015 champion, two-time Super Rugby champion.
- Teams: Highlanders, New Zealand national team (All Blacks).
- History and Trivia: Aaron Smith is one of the best scrum-halves in modern rugby, known for his quick and accurate passing. He is a leader on the field and has been key for the All Blacks for over a decade.
7. Michael Hooper (Australia)
- Titles and Records: Captain of the Australian national team, 100 caps for Australia.
- Teams: Waratahs, Australian national team.
- History and Trivia: Hooper is one of the world’s most respected flankers, known for his tireless work on the field and exemplary leadership. He is the second-youngest player to reach 100 caps for Australia.
8. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
- Titles and Records: Rugby World Cup 2019 champion, over 100 caps for the Springboks.
- Teams: Sharks, South African national team.
- History and Trivia: With his imposing presence and tackle skills, Etzebeth is one of the most feared players in the second-row positions. His physical strength is legendary and he is an anchor in the South African defense.
9. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
- Titles and Records: Captain of the Welsh national team, player with the most caps in the history of international rugby.
- Teams: Ospreys, Welsh national team.
- History and Trivia: Jones is a living rugby legend, with a career spanning more than a decade. He is known for his leadership on the field and resilience, playing at a very high level even in the later stages of his career.
10. Samu Kerevi (Australia)
- Titles and Records: Runner-up in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, standout at the Tokyo Olympics in rugby sevens.
- Teams: Suntory Sungoliath, Australian national team.
- History and Trivia: Kerevi is a powerful center, known for his devastating runs and ability to break down defenses. He has been a mainstay for Australia in both rugby union and sevens.
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11. Romain Ntamack (France)
- Titles and Records: Six Nations Tournament Champion 2022, World Rugby Young Player of the Year 2019.
- Teams: Stade Toulousain, French national team.
- History and trivia: The son of former player Emile Ntamack, Romain has quickly made a name for himself on the international stage. He is one of the main promises of French rugby, with a natural ability to lead the game.
12. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
- Titles and Records: 2018 Six Nations champion, two-time winner of the European Champions Cup.
- Teams: Leinster, Ireland national team.
- History and Trivia: Furlong is one of the best pillars in world rugby, known for his strength in the scrum and his ability with the ball in his hands. He has been crucial to Leinster and Ireland’s success in recent years.
13. Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
- Titles and Records: Super Rugby champion, Rugby World Cup 2019 standout.
- Teams: Hurricanes, New Zealand national team (All Blacks).
- History and Trivia: Savea is a versatile player, capable of playing both as a flanker and as a number 8. His intensity and ability to make decisive tackles have made him a fan favorite.
14. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
- Titles and Records: Captain of the Scotland national team, twice Six Nations player of the year.
- Teams: Exeter Chiefs, Scotland national team.
- History and Trivia: Hogg is one of Scottish rugby’s biggest stars, known for his speed and ball skills. He has been a central figure in the revival of rugby in Scotland.
15. Pieter-Steph Du Toit (South Africa)
- Titles and records: Rugby World Cup 2019 champion, World Rugby player of the year 2019.
- Teams: Stormers, South African national team.
- History and Trivia: Du Toit is one of the most complete players in modern rugby, capable of dominating in both attack and defense. He was instrumental in South Africa’s victory at the 2019 World Cup.
16. Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
- Titles and Records: Six Nations Tournament winner, European Champions Cup winner.
- Teams: Leinster, Ireland national team.
- History and Trivia: Sexton is one of the greatest names in Irish rugby history, known for his tactical intelligence and leadership.
17. Finn Russell (Scotland)
- Titles and Records: Top 14 champion, highlight of Scotland’s victories over England and France.
- Teams: Racing 92, Scotland national team.
- History and Trivia: Russell is known for his creativity and ability to make unexpected plays. He is one of the most exciting players to watch and is a key player for Scotland.
18. Damian McKenzie (New Zealand)
- Titles and Records: Super Rugby champion, Rugby World Cup 2019 standout.
- Teams: Chiefs, New Zealand national team (All Blacks).
- History and Curiosities: McKenzie is a versatile player, capable of playing both as an opener and as a fullback. His speed and unpredictability make him a lethal weapon in attack.
19. Owen Farrell (England)
- Titles and Records: Six Nations champion, Rugby World Cup 2019 finalist.
- Teams: Saracens, England national team.
- History and Trivia: Farrell is one of the best kickers in world rugby, known for his accuracy and nerves of steel at decisive moments. He is also a natural leader, having captained England on several occasions.
20. Handré Pollard (South Africa)
- Titles and Records: Rugby World Cup 2019 champion, Rugby Championship winner.
- Teams: Leicester Tigers, South African national team.
- History & Trivia: Pollard is the brains behind the Springboks’ attack, known for his vision and ability to drive the team. His accurate kicking was crucial to South Africa’s victory at the 2019 World Cup.
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The 20 best rugby players in the world today: complete list
- Antoine Dupont (France)
- Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
- Maro Itoje (England)
- Siya Kolisi (South Africa)
- Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
- Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
- Michael Hooper (Australia)
- Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
- Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
- Samu Kerevi (Australia)
- Romain Ntamack (France)
- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
- Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
- Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
- Pieter-Steph Du Toit (South Africa)
- Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
- Finn Russell (Scotland)
- Damian McKenzie (New Zealand)
- Owen Farrell (England)
- Handré Pollard (South Africa)
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